Gozo Bishop Mario Grech.

Gozo Bishop Mario Grech will embark on a two-year door-to-door campaign to visit families hoping to share in their moments of joy and sadness.

He announced the exercise, which will start on Friday, in a pastoral letter read out in Gozitan churches yesterday and today.

Mgr Grech said he wanted to leave no stone unturned and was prepared to initiate a dialogue even with those who found no solace in the Gospel.

“I wish to witness the miracles of love that happen in every family, to wipe the tears of broken hearts as is the case of families burdened by the upbringing of children, shattered relations, economic problems, irregular marriages, sickness and many other situations that cause suffering,” Mgr Grech said.

I will not preach but listen, I want to cry with you, rejoice with you

But Mgr Grech’s message was also aimed at his detractors, who “shut their doors over the past eight years” since he became bishop.

Acknowledging that he may have made mistakes, Mgr Grech insisted there was no closed door that could not reopen.

“I am certain that in the spirit of sincere dialogue, we can clear many things,” he said.

Mgr Grech made it clear that his pastoral visits would not be an exercise to interfere in people’s lives and admitted he did not have an answer to everything.

“I will not preach but listen, I want to cry with you, rejoice with you. I do not want to judge you but show solidarity,” he said.